I do it all the time. Apply a little cream to the face and then face lather with a loaded brush. I have one shave stick in rotation, Ogallala Bay Rum and Cedar, and I'll rub the shave stick then work the soap brush--with Williams or Van Der Hagen usually--into a lather. I have had excellent results from the Ogallala and also with Maca Root and Kiss My Face.
I've also loaded a brush from a bar Neem soap and worked that onto a base of Palmolive shave cream for superb results.
Superlather for Face Lathering