Here's a possible reason for what you saw what you saw. It's to do with the way we 'see' images. There are many times when we see an out - of - focus image but don't ask "why?". If you are very short sighted for instance, you still identify features of the notice on the wall, even though it's not sharp. Similarly, if you are long sighted, you still recognise the layout of the book in front of you. So we don't actually need to have a focused imaged in order to 'see' it; we can identify which way up it is, though. Point is, the image can be anywhere and you will often be able to identify what you see.
If you put an object near the mirror and look at it from the appropriate distance (beyond f) you will see the familiar inverted image ( standard ray diagram). It's the position of the Object that causes the image inversion. Move your head towards the mirror and the image will still be identifiable as an inverted face) but blurred. Your brain does its best with what it sees and the inversion is the primary information about the object. By the time your face gets to where the object is, your face appears as just another blurred inverted image.
Repeat the experiment a bit off axis and the image will appear inverted and blurred but, if you put a convex (corrective`) eyeglass in the way, it will bring the light to a focus in front of your eye and you could then see a sharp image of that object.
As I have suggest higher up, you can do your experiment with a shiny spoon (it's all a bit cramped with that small radius) or with a shaving mirror (better) and confirm what I say.